Felise Kaufusi

The 29-year-old has played his entire 152-game NRL career at the Storm so far, and will complete one last season in purple before joining Wayne Bennett.

The signing is a coup for the expansion club, who have seen a few big names ink deals elsewhere over the past few weeks.

Dolphins' NRL team chief executive Terry Reader welcomed the signing.

"It is imperative the Dolphins build a squad that contains players of representative calibre and Felise certainly fits that mould," Reader said.

Kaufusi has signed for next season with the option of an additional year while Welch has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal to remain in Melbourne.

The re-signing of the young props is yet another significant boost for Storm’s forward pack.

Kaufusi has signed for next season with the option of an additional year while Welch has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal to remain in Melbourne.

The re-signing of the young props is yet another significant boost for Storm’s forward pack.

Kaufusi and Welch join teammates Dale Finucane, Joe Stimson and Jesse and Kenny Bromwich as the latest big men to re-sign with Storm.

Welch, 22, has played 33 games in the purple jersey including last year’s NRL Grand Final.

Over the last two years his aggressive style of play has proved a real asset for Melbourne.

It's been hard enough having to fill the void of pre-season departures of Blake Green, Marika Koroibete and Kevin Proctor, but Melbourne have found a way.

In their absence several of the Storm's youngsters have stood up for the side to jump out of the gates to an impressive unbeaten 3-0 start.